Lopes split weekend with No. 1 BYU

Saturday, February 27

Phoenix, Ariz.

Noon

Grand Canyon

BYU

Photo by: Mathew McGraw

2/27/2021 1:46:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

GCU falls in straight sets to the Cougars

By: Cassidy Mace

Grand Canyon men's volleyball split a home series with No. 1 BYU with a loss on Saturday afternoon. The No. 9 Lopes (2-4, 2-4 MSPF) fell in straight sets to the Cougars (6-2) just two days after their big win over the No. 1 ranked team.

Freshman outside hitter Camden Gianni led the team with nine kills, two aces and a block for 11.5 points. Sophomore outside Christian Janke recorded seven digs, six kills and an assist.

GCU pulled ahead with a four-point scoring run in the first set, the charge led by Camden Gianni with three consecutive kills to go up 8-5 over the Cougars. BYU pulled back in from at 9-8, leading to a back-and-forth first set. Two consecutive errors from the Cougars gave GCU a 16-14 lead, but BYU followed it up with a 7-1 run to set themselves up for the win. The Cougars closed it out with a three-point run to take set one 25-19.

Janke got the Lopes started with a kill in set two, going up 1-0 to keep the Lopes in the match early in set one. A kill and an ace from Gianni gave the Lopes the lead at 6-5. BYU battled with a three-point run, but two kills from Janke and sophomore setter Heath Hughes tied it up at 9-9. The Cougars went 6-1 over the Lopes to take a five-point lead, forcing the Lopes to take a timeout. GCU subbed in senior setter Onur Cukur who made an immediate impact with a kill to close the gap to 15-11. Despite an effort from the Lopes to get back in the game, BYU pulled away with another 25-19 set win.

Cukur continued to help the Lopes stay in the match with a kill and an ace early in set three. The Lopes led 4-3 before falling behind to BYU. The Cougars went on a 6-0 scoring run to lead GCU 17-9 in set three. GCU only scored four more points in the match, with kills from Kisiel, Janke and senior middle Ian McLain. BYU took the final set 25-13 to sweep the lopes.

GCU is back in action as they host USC on March 17 at 6 p.m. at GCU Arena.